Bono’s ‘Bullshit Detectors’

‘Bono used to borrow my records. When I’d get them back the sleeves would be full of stains.’

Gavin Friday and Guggi are featured in the June 7 issue of Belgian newspaper De Standaard (who also report on Bono’s meeting with EU big wig Louis Michel). Bono’s two ‘best mates’ talked to the paper in Brussels in October, while promoting the re-release of the Virgin Prunes back catalogue on Mute Records.

The two (when Bono’s present, the trio are known as ‘The Funky Trinity’) discuss the miracle of their lasting friendship and success, and their roll as ‘bullshit detectors’: trying to keep their friend’s feet firmly on the ground. Both Gavin and Guggi emphasise the fact that their lives are interwoven with that of U2, even now.


Guggi, whose mediating role makes it possible for the other two sizeable egos to survive next to each other, says:

‘We are the first to hear the new songs and they expect us to comment on them. When they’re working on a new album, we drop by regularly and we go have a few drinks together and talk a lot of bullshit about music. We don’t go easy on each other.’

Gavin thinks the reason the lot of them have remained friends throughout the years is that they’ve never grown up:

‘We’re all still 18 in our heads. We all suffer from a Dorian Gray-complex, a desire for eternal youth. Our bodies tell us otherwise, unfortunately! I suppose it’s our passion that keeps us together.’

So what do their women think of all this male bonding?

‘You know, last year, Bono’s wife Ali told me what our big problem is. She says we love each other too much. I thought she was jealous, she had a few drinks on her. But later I thought: maybe she’s right.’

Disclaimer: Gavin and Guggi’s words are partly translated back into English from the printed Flemish text and reproduced from memory — I spent much of that weekend in Brussels in G&G’s company.

12 thoughts on “Bono’s ‘Bullshit Detectors’”

  5. It was kind of private – Gav and Guggi decided to treat me and my friend (who runs virginprunes.com with me) for the work we did promoting the re-releases. It started with being called up on stage at the Virgin Prunes event in the Ancienne Belgique, then a late night dinner, and drinks in various bars and then hungover breakfast (bless our poor waiter) & a stroll around town the next morning. Quite surreal. I’d spent a lot of time with Gavin before, but it was the first time for me to hang out with Guggi. He’s a gent.

  6. It was kind of private – Gav and Guggi decided to treat me and my friend (who runs virginprunes.com with me) for the work we did promoting the re-releases. It started with being called up on stage at the Virgin Prunes event in the Ancienne Belgique, then a late night dinner, and drinks in various bars and then hungover breakfast (bless our poor waiter) & a stroll around town the next morning. Quite surreal. I’d spent a lot of time with Gavin before, but it was the first time for me to hang out with Guggi. He’s a gent.

  9. Colour me green, which is what it sounds like you must have been feeling that morning.

  10. Colour me green, which is what it sounds like you must have been feeling that morning.

  11. Good for you VonB…no one has promoted Gav (& the Virgin Prunes) more…ever. You deserve to be treated, and well.

    Much better treatment than when brining you to The Kitchen wound up getting this girl barred.

    Best Wishes…enjoy the upcoming shows!

  12. Good for you VonB…no one has promoted Gav (& the Virgin Prunes) more…ever. You deserve to be treated, and well.

    Much better treatment than when brining you to The Kitchen wound up getting this girl barred.

    Best Wishes…enjoy the upcoming shows!

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